Bag-fastener.



No. 771,678. PATEN-TED OUT. 4, 1904.

' 0. R. LUTHER.

BAG PASTENER.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.26, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

\Z /{TNESSES 7 HWENTUR.

flTTURNEY.

UNITED STATES Patented October 4, 1904.

ORMEL R. LUTHER, .OF ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT.

BAG-FASTENER- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 771,378, dated October 4:, 1904.

Application filed December 26 1903. Serial No. 186,716. (No model.)

7 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORMEL R. LUTHER, a resident of the city of Ansonia, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new-and useful Improvement in Bag-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a means for fastening the necks of sacks, bags, and other like receptacles, particularly grainbags. The method now particularly used for this purpose is the employment of cords, strings, thongs, and the like, and sometimes by metallic bands, as heretofore illustrated in the art. By the use of my device, however, all these means may be dispensed with and the bag fastened firmly and speedily, thus saving much time and expense.

My invention consists of a resilient metallic band curved in such a manner that when applied to the contracted neck of a sack or.

bag it will somewhat loosely engage the same. Fastened to one end of the band and hinged thereto is a flat curved strap having vertical slots therein, any one of which may pass over an angular projection on the other end of the curved band when the latter is pressed around the neck of a bag against its own resiliency.

For a more detailed description of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, on which corresponding reference characters indicate like parts.

Figure 1 is a side view of my device in use upon a filled bag. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device detached from a bag and in its opened position. Fig. 3 is aplan view in its opened position. Fig. 4: is a plan view in its locked or closed position. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the device in its closed position in full lines and in its open position in dotted lines.

In the drawings, A represents a filled bag or sack having its neck closed and fastened by the fastener B. This fastener B consists of a flat flexible metallic band Z), the same being of such a curvature as to extend loosely around the closed neck of the bag when in its opened position. One end of this band terminates in a lug or hook a, while the other end terminates in a knuckle or socket (Z. This knuckle (Z passes through one of the slots 0 in the metallic strap C, thus fastening the band 7) and thestrap C together in such a manner that they may act as a hinge.

In applying the device to the closed neck of the bag the operator grasps the neck of the bag from above with one hand and the fastener at the extreme outer end of the strap C with the other hand. He may then apply the fastener to the neck of the bag so that the latter will pass between the ends of the band a and (Z into the inside of the band. The operator then releases his hold upon the neck of the bag and with his free hand presses the outside of the band 6 against its own resiliency until it comes in close contact with the neck of the bag. With the other hand he may then swing round the strap C until one of the slots 0 passes over the hook or lug (0. Then by releasing both the strap C and the band 5 the latter will by virtue of its resiliency spring outwardly and hold the hook or lug a in its slot. Thus the neck of the bag is held firmly closed, as shown in Fig. 1.

To unfasten the clasp in order to open the neck of the bag, it is merely necessary to press together or to contract the band 6 until the hook or lug (0 leaves the slot 0, when the strap C will be disengaged and thedevice may be removed.

It will be readily seen the series 0 f slots c, placed at intervals on the strap C, are forthe purpose of adjustment to accommodate the fastener to different sizes of necks-for instance, when applied to smaller necks the hook a will engage one of the slots nearest the knuckle (Z, while if applied to the larger necks it will engage one of the slots nearest the opposite end. The slot 0, which passesover the knuckle (Z, serves as a part of the hinging arrangement, thus saving material and expense of a more intricate fastening.

The strap C besides performing the function of locking the two ends of the band 6 in its closed position also serves as a handle or a lever for the purpose of pulling the ends together to fasten the band securely around the closed neck of the bag and its, curvature is such that whatever its position when closed will be coincident or lie flush with the outer contour of the band 7). The curved knuckle (Z at one end of the band, together with the turned-out lug or hook a/ at the opposite end of the strap, furnishes an unobstructed passage-way for the entrance of the neck of the bag into the band and presents no sharp or pointed impediments.

Throughout the specification, although I have used various terms such as band, strap, lug, hook, knuckle, &c.I do not wish to be confined to the specific construction of said parts as illustrated and described, but reserve the right to use any of the well-known equivalents thereof disclosed in the art, and I further reserve the right to make any changes or modifications in the construction of my device Without departing from the spirit of my invention, provided the same come within the scope of the appended claim.

I am fully aware that there has heretofore existed in the art metallic bands for fastening the necks of bags. I am also aware that such bands have been fastened in their closed positions by means of a hook and slots; but such constructions, however, are broadly not a part of my invention; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A bag-fastener consisting of a flat curved resilient metallic band I) having one extremity turned outwardly to form a lug a and its opposite end terminating in a knuckle d in combination with a flat metallic strap 0 having therein a plurality of vertical slots 0 through the last one of which passes the knuckle 61 to form a hinge, the said strap being of such a curvature that when the slot and the lug are in engagement the said curvature will be substantially coincident with the said band.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ORMEL R. LUTHER.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK W. HOLDEN, ADA M. GESNER. 

